Trump Claims Venezuelan President Maduro Captured After Strikes On Caracas

US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country after large-scale strikes on Venezuela.

“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” Trump said on Truth Social.

Sharing details online, Trump said US agencies carried out the operation in coordination with law enforcement authorities. He added that officials would disclose further information during a news conference later in the day at Mar-a-Lago.

Meanwhile, residents in Caracas reported hearing multiple loud explosions during the early hours of Saturday. Witnesses described intense blasts and aircraft-like sounds around 2:00 a.m. local time, which spread panic across several parts of the capital.

In response, the Venezuelan government issued a strong statement condemning what it termed ‘extremely serious military aggression’ by the United States. Officials accused Washington of violating national sovereignty and attempting to undermine the country’s political independence.

Subsequently, several US media outlets reported that officials in Washington had confirmed strikes against Venezuela. However, authorities offered no independent confirmation regarding Trump’s claim about the capture of President Maduro and his wife.

Embassy Issues Safety Advisory

“US Embassy Bogota is aware of reports of explosions in and around Caracas, Venezuela. The US Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, warns US citizens not to travel to Venezuela. US citizens in Venezuela should shelter in place,” the Embassy said in a statement.

Additionally, the United States issued a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Venezuela, citing risks such as wrongful detention, civil unrest, crime, and weak health infrastructure. Authorities strongly advised all US citizens to leave the country immediately.

Earlier, the embassy reiterated that the US Department of State had withdrawn all diplomatic staff from Caracas in March 2019. Since then, all consular services have remained suspended, limiting emergency assistance for Americans in Venezuela.

Following the explosions, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro reportedly declared a national emergency.

Reports indicated that at least seven powerful blasts rattled Caracas, forcing residents to rush out of their homes amid fear and confusion.

Furthermore, videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from multiple locations in the capital. Power outages and partial telecommunications disruptions were also reported in some areas, including near a military installation.

As developments continue to unfold, the situation remains uncertain, with conflicting claims and limited verification. The incident has intensified regional tensions and drawn international attention to the rapidly evolving crisis in Venezuela.

Also Read:Southern Mexico Hit By 6.5-Magnitude Quake, Two Dead